A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
(Beauschir,) Bewschyre, n. Also: beauscheir, beaw-, beu-, bewschir; bew syre. [ME. beau sire (c 1300), beusher, bewshere, etc., OF. beau sire.] ‘Fair sir.’ as a form of address.?1438 Alex. i. 269.
Philot, bew syre! Ib. 420.
Beuschir, ȝe wait richt weill [etc.] Ib. 718.
‘A beauscheir,’ to the duke said he c1450-2 Howlat 148.
Than busk thai but blyn, mony bewschyris 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 105.
I protest, beaw schirris, be ȝour leif Ib. ix. Prol. 79.
Sa faris with me, bew schirris